Effective participation by developing countries in the work of the ITU Dr Tim Kelly, ITU 6th Sub-regional telecom meeting for Cambodia, Lao PDR and Vietnam,

Effective participation by Effective participation by developing countries in the developing countries in the

work of the ITUwork of the ITU

Dr Tim Kelly, ITU6th Sub-regional telecom meeting for Cambodia, Lao PDR and Vietnam,

Hanoi, 22-24 November 1999

Note: The views expressed in this presentation are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the ITU or its membership. Dr Tim Kelly can be contacted by e-mail at [email protected].

2Effective participation in the ITUEffective participation in the ITU

AgendaAgendaHistoryITU structure, purposes and objectivesThe three Sectors

Radiocommunication (ITU-R) Telecommunication Standardization (ITU-T) Development (ITU-D)

How Study Groups workStrategies for effective participationParticipating without being present


The ITU in briefThe ITU in briefUN specialised agency, concerned with the

development of telecommunication networks and services worldwide

134 years old189 Member States; 575 Sector MembersAround 700 staff, more than 70 nationalities 2000 budget = 169m SFr (US$ 110m)Secretary-General: Yoshio Utsumi (Japan)Deputy Sec-General: Roberto Blois (Brazil) Website: http://www.itu.int


MembershipMembershipCambodia joined on 10 April 1952Lao PDR joined on 3 April 1952Vietnam joined on 24 September 1951

Regional organisations which are ITU Sector Members include: Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) Asia-Pacific Satellite Communications Council

(APSCC) Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT)

ITU StructureITU StructurePlenipotentiary

Conference

CouncilWorld Conference on

Int’l Telecoms

World/Regional RadiocommunicationConference (WRC)

RadiocommunicationAssembly (RA)

Radio RegulationsBoard (RRB

AdvisoryGroup

StudyGroups

Radiocommunication

World Telecommunication

StandardizationAssembly (WTSA)

AdvisoryGroup

StudyGroups

Telecom Standardization

World/RegionalTelecommunication

Development Conference (WTDC)

AdvisoryGroup

StudyGroups

Development

Secretary-GeneralDeputy Secretary-General TELECOM

DirectorRadiocommunication

Bureau (BR)

Secretariat

DirectorTelecom Standardization

Bureau (TSB)

DirectorTelecom Development

Bureau (BDT)


According to the International According to the International Telecommunication Constitution (Geneva, Telecommunication Constitution (Geneva, 1992), the role of the ITU is:1992), the role of the ITU is:

International co-operation in telecommunications

To provide technical assistance To promote technical developmentTo extend the benefits of telecomsTo promote telecoms for peaceful useTo harmonise national policiesTo promote telecoms in co-operation with

other national and regional bodies


But what does the ITU But what does the ITU actually do?actually do?

Spectrum allocation and registrationCo-ordination of national spectrum planningInternational telecoms standardizationCollaboration in international tariff-settingCo-operation in telecoms development

assistanceMeasures for ensuring safety of lifePolicy reviews, information exchangeExtension of universal access


International TreatiesInternational TreatiesConstitution and Convention of the ITU

Two complementary treaties, containing mainly housekeeping details but also some longstanding international commitments (e.g., Common Carrier tradition)

Major update in 1992; minor updates in 1994 & 1998

International Telecom Regulations Thin (10 Articles) treaty concerning mainly accounting

practices. Last update 1988

Radio Regulations Thick (>10’000 pages) treaty governing use of radio

spectrum. Updated every WRC.

World Telecom Development Conference (Valletta, March 1998)

Study GroupsValletta Action PlanTelecommunication Indicators

reports and databasesTechnical co-operationRegional and area officesDirector: Hammadoun Touré (Mali)

ITU-D Study GroupsITU-D Study GroupsSG1: Telecom Development Strategies and Policies

11 study questions covering, interconnection, Universal Access/Service, introduction of new technologies, regulatory impact of convergence, investment, tariff policies, use of Internet, telecoms and socio-cultural development, technology transfer, public sector broadcasting.

SG2: Development, harmonisation, management and maintenance of telecom networks and services

7 study questions covering co-operation with ITU-T & ITU-R, communications for remote and rural areas, digital broadcasting, broadband communications, telemedicine, human resource management, preparation of handbooks.

………………………………….. also ……………………………..

Regional and area offices

Gender Issues Task Force

Workshops and seminars associated with six programmes of the Valletta Action Plan


ITU-D priorities (Strategic plan)ITU-D priorities (Strategic plan)Respond effectively to requests for assistanceDevelop and mobilise resourcesCreate partnership arrangementsPromote partnership between public and

private sectorsStrengthen the regional presenceCollaborate with private sector in

implementing the Valletta Action PlanImprove working methods

World Radio Conference Istanbul, May-June 2000

ITU-R RecommendationsStewardship of radio frequency &

satellite orbits Radio Regulations Master International Frequency Register

Safety of life services (Maritime, Aeronautical etc)

Director: Robert Jones (Canada)

ITU-R Study GroupsITU-R Study GroupsSG1: Spectrum management

SG3: Radiowave propagation

SG4: Fixed satellite service

SG7: Science services

SG8: Mobile, radiodetermination, amateur and related satellite services

SG9: Fixed service

SG10: Broadcasting service (sound)

SG11: Broadcasting service (television)

………………………………….. also ……………………………..

SC: Special Committee on Regulatory/Procedural matters

CCV: Coordination committee for vocabulary

CPM: Conference Preparatory Meeting


ITU-R in figuresITU-R in figuresWorld Radio Conference (WRC) is the major event,

attracting >2’000 delegates1997 WRC generated 8 million pages of documentsMore than 1’500 technical specialists participate in

work of Study GroupsSatellite co-ordination

Advance publication (18 cases per week) Co-ordination (9 cases per week) Plan activities (5 cases per week)

Terrestrial networks (>1’100 cases per week)

World Telecom Standardization Assembly Canada, Sept.-Oct. 2000

ITU-T RecommendationsStewardship of international

numbering plan Country Codes Universal International Freephone

Global Information InfrastructureDirector: Houlin Zhao (China)

ITU-T Study GroupsITU-T Study GroupsSG2: Network and service operation

SG3: Tariff and accounting principles

SG4: TMN and network maintenance

SG5: Protection against electromagnetic effects

SG6: Outside plant

SG7: Data networks and Open Systems communications

SG8: Characteristics of telematic systems

SG9: TV and sound transmission

SG10: Languages and software

SG11: Signalling requirements and protocols

SG12: End-to-end transmission performance of networks

SG13: General network aspects

SG15: Transport networks, systems and equipment

SG16: Multimedia services and systems


ITU-T in figuresITU-T in figuresSeveral thousand participants in Study Group

(mainly technical experts)270 study group questions (dating from Geneva

WTSC, 1996)Some 2’500 Recs in force (55’000 pages)Approx. 245 Recs targeted for 1999Average approval time: 9 months (min: 5)Three top priorities:

IP-based networks IMT-2000 (3rd generation mobile systems) Accounting rate reform

Plenipotentiary Conferences Minneapolis, 1998; Marrakech 2002

World Telecommunication Policy Forum Oct. 1996, GMPCS March 1998, Trade in Telecom Services

ITU CouncilITU NewsSupport services (e.g. IS, languages)ITU TELECOM


ITU Strategic Plan, 2000-03ITU Strategic Plan, 2000-03• Strengthen the multilateral foundations of

international telecommunications• Promote global access to the GII and global

participation in the GIS• Co-ordinate international action to manage scarce

telecommunication resources• Provide information enabling Member States to

draw maximum benefit from technical, financial and regulatory change

• Improve ITU efficiency and effectiveness

New Telecom Indicators publicationsNew Telecom Indicators publications

World Telecommunication Development Report: Mobile cellular

Direction of Traffic: Trading Telecom Minutes

Challenges to the Network: Internet for development

Trends in Telecom Reform: Convergence and Regulation

For more information: http://www.itu.int/ti


How Study Groups workHow Study Groups workWorld Conference/Assembly defines Study Group

questions, elects chairs input from Members and Advisory Groups

Study Group allocates tasks to Working Parties, Focus Groups, rapporteurs Focus Groups permit accelerated working Drafting done primarily by electronic working methods, using

mailing lists, drop boxes etc

Working Party prepares text for approvalMember States approve Recommendation

Accelerated approval, by correspondence, or Approval at next World Conf/Assembly

An example: ITU-T Recommendation D.140 An example: ITU-T Recommendation D.140 (accounting and settlement rates)(accounting and settlement rates)

1993:ITU-T Recommendation D.140

approved at Helsinki WTSC

Recommendation set out principles of cost-orientation, non-discrimination and transparency and negotiation mechanism (Annex C). BUT, no agreed definition of costs.

Sept. 1995:Annex A finalised. Approved

by accelerated procedure

Annex A added, setting out list of elements to be considered as constituting costs. Data collection starts (Annex B). BUT, no upper limit on costs.

July 1998:Annex D finalised. Approved

by accelerated procedure

Annex D sets out “transitional arrangements to cost orientation” establishing an upper limit of 1 SDR by December 1998. BUT, what next, after 1998?

March 1998: World Telecom Policy Forum establishes

Focus Group

Focus Group established to work on transitional arrangements beyond 2000. Reported in Nov. 1998. BUT, SG3 unable to reach consensus in December 1998.

June 1999: Text of Annex E determined to be “stable”.

Accelerated approval.

SG3 finalised text of Annex E in July 1999. Sent to Member States for approval. SG3 will formally meet in December to approve. BUT, will USA object?

Participating effectively ...Participating effectively ...Motivation Examples of

meetings/events/strategiesDesire toinfluence ITUstrategy andmajor treaties

Nominate candidates for elected position,RRB or Council

Participate in Plenipotentiary, WRC Participate in sectoral advisory groups (e.g.,

RAG, TSAG, TDAG)Influencetelecomssectorstrategies

Nominate candidates for Study Groupchairs, vice-chairs, rapporteurs

Participate in Study Groups, WorkingParties, Focus Groups

Participate in regional eventsGain trainingand int’lexposure

Nominate candidates for fellowships Participate in TELECOM events Participate in workshops, seminars


Strategies for ...Strategies for ...

Be selective: don’t try to cover everything

Study the Operational Plan for each sector to identify priorities

Use website and mailing lists to gather information

Use Geneva-based missions and request briefing sessions

Work closely with regional and area offices

Work out objectives ahead of attending meetings

Select participants carefully (give preference to experts!)

Co-ordinate strategies at national and especially regional level

Seek compromises not optimal outcomes

.. effective participation.. effective participation .. achieving results.. achieving results


Participating without being Participating without being present ...present ...

Make full use of ITU publications 80% discounts available for LDCs Free subscriptions to electronic products for telecom

training centresMake full use of website for documents

Request TIES (Telecom Information Exchange Services) access to documents

Identify focal points to receive & circulate documents on specific topics

Join and contribute to email listsFollow Internet Broadcasts

Live or recorded (e.g., PP-98, Council, Telecom)

Documents

Effective participation by developing countries in the work of the ITU Dr Tim Kelly, ITU 6th Sub-regional telecom meeting for Cambodia, Lao PDR and Vietnam,